Lawn shade with cantilevered concrete roof portion



Dec: 6,, 166 W. D. PATCH 9 LAWN SHADE WITH CANTILEVERED CONCRETE ROOF PORTION Filed Sept. 3, 1965 INVENTOR, WILLIAM D. PATCH United States Patent Ofiiice 3,289,363 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 3,289,363 LAWN SHADE WITH CANTHLEVERED CONCRETE ROOF PORTION William D. Patch, Welsh, Okla. Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,091 1 Claim. (Cl. 5273) This invention relates to lawn shades and more particularly it is an object of this invention to provide a lawn shade structure, the roof portion of which can be formed of concrete or any of the lighter concrete aggregates in which lighter materials are used in substitution for sand, the roof being reinforced.

I am aware that concrete roof structures have been used before, but in almost all cases, these have involved roof structures supported by many posts, to the end that visibility and its enjoyment are restricted, and it is an object of this invention to provide what is substantially a concrete umbrella having a single post.

One of the major problems in constructing a concrete umbrella is in the support of the great weight of the roof section firmly against the danger of its being caught by winds in tornadoes and other storms in which fierce wind might otherwise rip the roof part off of the post section.

Lawn umbrellas and roof structures of various kinds of the prior art have almost always been characterized by their features of having frame members, braces, or other members disposed where birds can roost on them easily. It is an object of this invention to provide a lawn shade structure the underside of the roof section of which is free of any braces or elements on which birds can rest in order to provide a freedom from bird droppings in the area beneath the shade.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims, the scope of the invention being limited to the drawings themselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a way in which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the lawn shade structure of this invention with the forward half of its roof section removed for showing the interior construction. The foundation of this structure is also shown in section.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the roof section of the invention showing a portion broken away for indicating the manner of reinforcing. FIGURE 2 is taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

The lawn shade structure of this invention is generally indicated at in FIGURE 1 and comprises a center post 12 which is preferably formed of pipe, as best seen in cross section in FIGURE 2. Post 12 is imbedded in a foundation 14 in the ground 20. At the upper end of the pipe 12 is a cuplike support having a convex undersurface and concave upper surface. The support 30 is preferably formed of strong metal and is welded on its under side to the upper side of the post 12, as best seen at 34.

The shade has a roof 40 which latter is convex on its upper side, as seen at 42, and concave on its under side, as at 44, except for a center portion of the under side surface which latter has a downwardly extending portion 46 which has a convex under surface of size and shape for reception in and complemental fitting in the cup support member 38. In the roof 40 are reinforcing bars 50 arranged in a criss-cross pattern, as best seen in FIGURE 2.

As thus described, it will be seen that this invention has provided a lawn shade structure which is more durable and long lasting than canvas umbrellas, can be made larger without undue danger of destruction in wind storms, and which is free of braces on its under side and provided with all smooth surfaces where there is no place for birds to roost.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a lawn shade constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention can be changed and modified without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

A lawn shade structure having a single center post, a cuplike supporting member fixed to the upper end of said post and having a convex under surface and a concave upper surface, a reinforced concrete roof structure disposed across the upper side of said support member, said roof structure having a downwardly depending and protruding portion having a convex under surface complemental in size and shape snugly fitting against and being received in coextensive abutting contact throughout the extent of the concave upper surface of said support member, and said support member being of a substantial size as seen from its under side so as to give substantial support to said roof structure, said roof structure being concave on its underside and convex on its upper side for construction of a minimum material with an inclined roof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 785,950 3/1905 Hindes 52253 1,066,061 7/1913 Taylor -20 X 1,106,063 8/1914 Taft 5273 2,215,773 9/1940 Workman 5273 2,720,862 10/1965 Davis 5273 X 2,792,794 5/1957 Miller 5273 X OTHER REFERENCES Engineering News-Record TA1.E61, January 10, 1918 pages 83.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

A. C. PERHAM, Assistant Examiner. 

